Also-rans Reische, Fulcher return to city business

Their campaigns for supervisorial seats ended in disappointment, but Colusa Councilman Tom Reische and Williams Councilwoman Angela Plachek-Fulcher have plenty to do.

"The budget is gong to be a huge issue this year," Reische said. "We have to hunker down and watch our Ps and Qs."

Reische said revenues will be the biggest concern.

The city will not have the sales tax it enjoyed from Hoblit Motor's state contract and Wilbur-Ellis relocated its operation from Main Street to Colusa Industrial Properties in the county — taking their substantial amount of sales tax with them.

"And everyone knows the state is going to take whatever it can," said Reische, who was second to two-term Supervisor Tom Indrieri in a three-candidate race for District 2. Curtis Boewer was third in the race.

Fulcher, who lost to three-term incumbent Mark Marshall in District 3, said her priority now is the economic development of the city.

"If we don't get some industry in here, our economy is going to be pretty dismal," said Fulcher, who emphasized the need for better paying, full-time jobs.

The councilwoman has been the point person for trying to get direct access off Highway 20 into the Vann development area — and she said that is still a priority.

The county is helping out with $60,000 in road funds to jump start studies that are needed. The city is hoping a developer also will ante up, and the council is already committed to the project.

Caltrans has told city officials it is open to the idea of another access point off the highway, what would essentially be the planned extension of Margurite Avenue from E Street on the east side of Interstate 5.

The extension is part of the city's general plan, but more specific planning is still needed.

Those studies, Fulcher said, will run in excess of $150,000.

The lack of access, officials have said, may have cost the city opportunities to land some firms, not the least of which is a truck stop that would represent close to $1 million in annual revenues for the city.

That project is not a dead issue, but the access is needed.

Fulcher noted that a new AM/PM gas station and eatery will break ground this year, and another hotel is expected to start construction in the first of the new year.

Additionally, a senior housing project could begin in a couple of months, and the same developer is looking at a low-income, mixed family project as well.

Even more critical, Fulcher added, is getting a new well and a water tank added, not only for water supply that will be needed to attract economic growth, but to secure water pressure.

Williams officials also will watch closely the November election and whether voters will back the extension of a half-cent sales tax that would otherwise sunset at the end of March.

It represents about $410,000 annually to the city's general fund.